Bobb Says Documentary About Detroit Schools Is Unfair

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DETROIT (WWJ) – Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb is speaking out against a two-hour documentary on the district, that aired on cable television, entitled “A National Disgrace.”

Bobb calls the piece unfair and says while many huge challenges remain in the district, they have made progress over the last two years. And this special, he says, completely ignores that.

“This is a two-year old story and a lot has changed, both at the Detroit Public Schools and the city of Detroit,” says Bobb. “In addition we also have in place a major academic plan that will help to drive student achievement for years to come.”

“The Detroit Public schools are markedly different that it was two years ago. Some of the people he interviewed are no longer in the Detroit Public Schools,” says Bobb.

Bobb says this special on the Detroit Public Schools grossly and completely neglects an entire year or more of their efforts to change things.

He says the graduation rate has improved from 58% two years ago to 62% and at some schools it’s higher.

“A National Disgrace” aired on cable’s HDNet Tuesday night; it’s a cable channel not accessible to a lot viewers in metro Detroit.